New to chams..

[tlkngfethrs1]

Hi I just got my first one.. and have a few questions.. I have done research but a few things are still left unanswered.. so I thought a forum might be the best way to go
I have a female graceful that is about 9 months old.. she a good sized one, and looks to be healthy.
I have had other reptiles in the past but this is my first chameleon.
sooooo here go the questions.. I have a 65 gal rept.( 18 x 30 x 36 I think..)
for her and I have added a few branches from my apple trees ( dried )
and some fake vines some rapped around the branches some just hanging, and a food and water dish.. ( I know they like to drink from leaves but I put it in just in case )

is that going to be big enough for her long term? if not I do have a 265? it is HUGE.. but I would like to try and stay with the 65 if that will be big enough.
is there a link or post for real plants I could use for her and if so how would I go about using them in a rept.??
and also I have Sugar Gliders and the vitamins I use are Vionate, they say they can be used for reptiles but I wanted to make sure before I gave them to her..
I have used rep - cal brand in the past but I don't like them due to the synthetic K they use.. so if I could stay away from it I would be happy!
Thank you very much!

 

[ZuggieTheCham]

Could you post some pictures? Just so we can have a look and see what your set up is like then we can have a better idea, for starters take the water dish out, it will create bacteria! Just not worth it, and never heard of those vitamins! So not sure i use repashy calcium all in one powder that covers everything just dust with every feed ( i think it should be the same for a graceful)

 

[Kibu]

Could you provide more information on how you are caring for them?
Chameleon Info:<br />
Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon.<br />
How long has it been in your care?<br />
Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?<br />
Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders? Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule? Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking? Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites? History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you. <br />
Cage Info: Cage Type- Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions? <br />
Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule? <br />
Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?<br />
Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind? <br />
Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?<br />
Location- Where are you geographically located? <br />
Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.<br />
Pictures are helpful

 

[tlkngfethrs1]

Thank you Zuggie.. the water bowl is gone!

and to Kibu.. I have not had her 24 hours yet.. so most of the questions you are asking I can not answer.
did you even read my post before you answered? I gave the cage type AND dimensions in the first post, and stated how she is drinking..
I am feeding Meal worms and crickets I gut load with fresh veggies and fruit. and keep them in a home made medium of old fashioned oats, dry rice baby cereal and oat bran. this is how I have them for my sugar gliders and I do not dust for them, and I have not dusted the Chameleons yet because I was asking HERE in my first post if the Vionate vitamins I already have are okay to use..
I have not handled her much at all yet, I am letting her settle in to her new life. but I do know they should not be handled more that a short time and no more that a couple times a day.
I am using a 60 watt day light UVA/ UVB bulb, I don't know the brand.. I have had it for a while and the box was not with it.. and as for timing with the bulb, I have a dusk to dawn timer I use that has the light on as long as the sun is out.. the bottom temp is at 70 and the basking light area is at 85. mid rept is at around 75 were she is spending most of her time.
and misting.. I have been misting four times a day, until the rept looks fogged.. and her humidity has been staying between 85 and 95%
she is kept in a low traffic area, and the top of her enclosure is almost at 6 1/2 foot. I have her on a desk that is fairly tall so the top is very high.

OH and BTW.. I don't think I am going to keep her in either size repterium, while I was at the hardware store today, I found a VERY good deal on the pet defense screen.. they had it marked down to $4.00 per roll for the 36 by 84 inch rolls!! so I got all the hardware to build her a 24 by 24 by 4 foot tall custom cage! I have not cut anything yet will that be a good size for a permanent cage?

 

[Kibu]

I just copy the chameleon care sheet and post it when it is appropriate.

 

[SonTigerPantherCham]

Hi, I like how you are thinking ahead
I have a suggestion regarding the pet defense mesh
before you cut it, check the uv readings, I do not know the density of this mesh, but I would hate for you to waste money on it if it doesnt allow proper uv to filter thru.
A meter is your best and most reliable tool for taking uv readings.
I will have to check on the supps. We have another member with sugar gliders, let me get his name and you can pm him. He might have some insight
anne